Cortisone is a steroid, and steroids have gotten a bad reputation. When they are given in pill form over a long period of time, they can have some really bad side effects. But getting a cortisone injection into a sore spot is much different. Used sparingly, this type of injection can help stop inflammation. It is important that cortisone injections not be done too often. Done over and over, they can cause the soft tissues to break down.